A's make it 6 straight over Astros

Oakland has 2 sweeps against 1st-year AL member Houston

Updated 11:54 pm, Wednesday, April 17, 2013

A's center fielder Chris Young chased down a drive by Houston's Marwin Gonzalez to end the fifth inning.

A's center fielder Chris Young chased down a drive by Houston's Marwin Gonzalez to end the fifth inning.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Houston starter Bud Norris (center), a San Marin High-Novato alum, threw 46 pitches, retired two A's batters and gave up six runs before his day ended.

Houston starter Bud Norris (center), a San Marin High-Novato alum, threw 46 pitches, retired two A's batters and gave up six runs before his day ended.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Catcher John Jaso, the A's leadoff hitter, scored the first of Oakland's six first-inning runs after doubling to left field.

Catcher John Jaso, the A's leadoff hitter, scored the first of Oakland's six first-inning runs after doubling to left field.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Chris Carter watched a foul ball during his last at bat of the game in which he struck out. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Chris Carter watched a foul ball during his last at bat of the game in which he struck out. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The A's Bartolo Colon walks from the mound after a successful second inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

The A's Bartolo Colon walks from the mound after a successful second inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Astros Chris Carter almost hits into a double play in the first inning and then gets picked off first base to end the inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum. less

The Astros Chris Carter almost hits into a double play in the first inning and then gets picked off first base to end the inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co ... more

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Jed Lowrie hung in the air over Marwin Gonzalez on the double play that ended the game. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Jed Lowrie hung in the air over Marwin Gonzalez on the double play that ended the game. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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J.D. Martinez is easily tagged out by the A's Derek Norris in the 7th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

J.D. Martinez is easily tagged out by the A's Derek Norris in the 7th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Athletics celebrated their 7-5 victory over Houston. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

The Athletics celebrated their 7-5 victory over Houston. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The A's Josh Reddick got a key hit in the first inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

The A's Josh Reddick got a key hit in the first inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Grant Balfour saved the game after giving up a home run in the 9th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Grant Balfour saved the game after giving up a home run in the 9th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The Astros Chris Carter struck out in the sixth inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

The Astros Chris Carter struck out in the sixth inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Seth Smith scores in the first inning on a hit by Josh Reddick. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Seth Smith scores in the first inning on a hit by Josh Reddick. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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Jed Lowrie rounds the bases in the first inning after a hit by Josh Reddick scored two. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Jed Lowrie rounds the bases in the first inning after a hit by Josh Reddick scored two. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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The A's Eric Sogard can't handle a throw and J.D. Martinez reaches second in the 7th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

The A's Eric Sogard can't handle a throw and J.D. Martinez reaches second in the 7th inning. The Oakland A's against the Houston Astros Wednesday April 17, 2013 at O.co Coliseum.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

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A's make it 6 straight over Astros

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Statistically, the A's have the majors' best offense. Most runs. Most doubles. Most extra-base hits. Most walks. Most total bases. Most stolen bases.

Yes, the Astros are projected to lose 100 games for a third straight season, maybe challenge the 1962 Mets' record of 120 losses. Yes, their payroll is smaller than Alex Rodriguez's salary. Yes, ownership made no effort to contend in the team's inaugural American League season.

But let's not attach an asterisk to the A's league-best 12-4 record, even though they're 6-0 against the re-re-rebuilding Astros, capped by a 7-5 victory in Wednesday's matinee at the Coliseum.

The A's deserve more credit than that, and they say so.

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"We played the Astros six times and got six wins," said shortstop Jed Lowrie, who played for Houston last year. "You can say, 'Oh, just look at their schedule.' That's all we can do. We can't do anything else but win.

"They're in a rebuilding phase, and we came in and took care of business. That's what it takes. You've got to beat the people you're supposed to beat."

It's not only the Astros. The A's have won 11 straight over AL West teams. They scored six first-inning runs off Bud Norris, who entered with two wins and a 1.96 ERA and is scouted by teams projected to trade for pitching help. The pride of Novato, Norris beat the Rangers on Opening Night and threw seven shutout innings in Anaheim.

But against the roaring A's, Norris surrendered six runs and lasted two-thirds of an inning two days after starter Eric Bedard lasted just a third of an inning - the shortest career starts for both, both on the A's watch.

In Oakland's latest sweep of Houston, Yoenis Céspedes (on the disabled list with a hand injury) missed all three games, Brandon Moss (paternity leave) missed two and Coco Crisp (who has been playing with a pulled groin) missed the finale. Despite it all, "The offense is off the charts at this point," said A's manager Bob Melvin, who also acknowledged the running game, defense and pitching.

Bartolo Colon threw harder (reaching the mid 90-mph range) and more effectively the longer he pitched. He lasted six innings, and the Astros scored three off Chris Resop, who gave up a homer to Carlos Peña, and one off closer Grant Balfour, who gave up a homer to Rick Ankiel.

"I don't discount anything about a particular team," Melvin said. "They pushed us to the brink today. A big-league team's a big-league team, and a win's a win."

The A's collected 11 hits, including three by Seth Smith and two each by leadoff man John Jaso and Lowrie, the cleanup hitter, but none will be remembered more than Shane Peterson's fourth-inning single, his first big-league hit.

"I was rounding first base," he said, "and it felt like I hit a grand slam."

Welcome to the division

Half of the A's wins this season are against the Astros, who are in their first season in the AL West. Here's a look at those six games: